Hello friends and prospective dental heroes. As a result of the aggressive chemotherapy and radiation I had a few years ago to fight my stage 3 cancer diagnosis, I am left with a major dental situation. Unfortunately, these treatments and the loss of a salivary gland have caused major rotting to my teeth, and I have to have them all removed and receive full dentures. Typically, people receive the dentures immediately after having them removed, but due to the radiation I had, the risk of bone infection is great, and I will have to be without teeth for 1-3 months. This could significantly affect my ability to work. I may have to take short-term disability. However, before we even get there, I have to be able to pay for them.

The bill is very significant, and I do not have the funds. I will have to stop performing for at least three months and likely teaching. Friends, this is not to get implants or the perfect smile. I am getting plain old dentures, the kind your Grandma wore. This has been hard to accept. It has been hard to smile. If you haven’t seen me out much or on social media, this is why. I need help to get these new chompers. I want to be able to smile with confidence and eat without pain.

Thank you to so many of you who have already been so generous and helped me through my illness. If you can spare anything, it will help me reach my goal. Thank you so much, friends. I love you.

I am hoping to have this done in January and need to make sure I can pay for them. My insurance benefit is paying $2500, and I am using my FSA. I have also picked up a second job doing companion care for an elderly friend. Unfortunately, this is not enough. Thank you for reading and being a part of my community.